Branching morphogenesis in the embryonic mouse submandibular gland: a scanning electron microscopic study.

The embryonic development of the salivary gland in the mouse was studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The submandibular morphogenesis was found to take place within its associated mesenchymal tissue. This stromal mesenchymal element has prevented us from observing three-dimensional details of the branching morphogenesis by SEM. In the present study, we applied a modified Evan's enzymatic digestion method to the embryonic submandibular gland. Consequently, we obtained important information about the morphogenetic events for the branching development of the mouse submandibular gland, demonstrating that a pit and shallow clefts are formed on the lateral aspect of the spherical end bud. This pit and cleft formation likely represents the initial morphogenetic movement of the epithelium that establishes primary branchings. Furthermore, SEM observation of the basal surface of the embryonic epithelial cells provided us views of the developmental change of cell projections probably involving epithelial-mesenchymal contacts.